Handle assembly with an actuator and release apparatus

ABSTRACT

A handle assembly for carts and wheeled luggage includes a pair of tube assemblies disposed in substantially parallel relation and connected by a handle member. The tube assemblies carry locks that cooperate with the tubes to releasably lock the tube assemblies in an extended or a retracted position.

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.08/275,631, filed Jul. 15, 1994 for "Cart And Luggage Handle AssemblyWith An Actuator And Release Apparatus," now U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,615.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a handle assembly for carts or wheeledluggage and more particularly to a handle assembly which includes a pairof telescoping tube assemblies that carry at least one locking assemblyfor releasably securing the tubes of the tube assemblies in an extendedor retracted position.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The prior art includes a wide variety of carts and wheeled luggage withtelescoping and collapsible handle assemblies. For example, Cheng U.S.Pat. No. 5,127,664 discloses a trolley with telescopic tubes, Kazmark,Sr. U.S. Pat. No. 3,998,476 discloses a portable luggage carrier with atelescoping handle, and Carrigan, Jr. U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,306 discloseswheeled luggage with a handle assembly. Some of the handle assemblies inthese carts and luggage include means for stopping the separation oftelescoping tubes while others include means for locking the handleassemblies in more than one position, typically a retracted and anextended position.

The carrier described in Kazmark, Sr. U.S. Pat. No. 3,998,476 includesmeans for locking the handle assemblies. It has a handle assemblycomprising a pair of collapsible and telescoping tube assemblies. Thelower ends of the intermediate and upper tubes carry lock buttons whichextend through openings in the upper ends of the lower and intermediatetubes to releasably lock the tubes in an extended position. A pair ofupper and lower release bars which extend between the tube assembliesadjacent the upper ends of the lower tubes release the lock buttons.

Some prior art devices do not lend themselves to easy application inwheeled luggage. Others are complex arrangements with a multitude ofcomponents. The complexities of those prior art devices make themsusceptible to malfunctions such as binding or jamming. Still otherprior devices require actuators disposed outwardly of telescoping tubesto lock and unlock the tubes.

The handle assembly of the present invention includes at least onelocking assembly disposed in the handle assembly tubing and cooperatingwith the tubing to allow a user to place and lock the handle assembly inan extended or retracted position. The handle assembly is a simpleconstruction which minimizes the expense of manufacture and providesquick and effective operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a handleassembly for wheeled carts or luggage includes at least one tubeassembly with first and second tubes. The first tube extends into thesecond tube in telescoping relation with the second tube. Locking meanssecured to the first tube lock the first tube in a predeterminedposition and prevent relative sliding movement between the first tubeand the second tube.

The locking means includes a latching member and a plunger member fordisplacing the latching member laterally of the first and second tubeswhich contain the locking means. The second tube includes receivingmeans, e.g., a groove or an opening formed into the second tube, forcooperating with the latching member to lock the first tube relative tothe second tube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of this invention one should now referto the embodiment illustrated in greater detail in the accompanyingdrawings and described below by way of an example of the invention. Inthe drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the handle assembly of the presentinvention secured to a piece of wheeled luggage with a portion of theluggage cut away to show the portion of the assembly disposed within theluggage;

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the handle assembly of thepresent invention with a portion of the tubing of one tube assembly cutaway to show the locking means of the assembly;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the handle assembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4--4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view, showing the locking means in alocked position;

FIG. 6 is the sectional view of FIG. 5, showing the locking means in anunlocked position;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view, showing a stop portion in thetubing;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of modified latching and plunger members;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view, showing the latching member in a retractedposition;

FIG. 10 is the sectional view of FIG. 9, showing the latching member ina locking position;

FIG. 11 is a partial side elevation view of the latching and plungermembers of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 12 is a partial side elevation view of the latching and plungermembers of FIG. 10.

While the following disclosure describes the invention in connectionwith one embodiment, one should understand that the invention is notlimited to this embodiment. Furthermore, one should understand that thedrawings are not to scale and that graphic symbols, diagrammaticrepresentations, and fragmentary views, in part, illustrate theembodiment. In certain instances, the disclosure may not include detailswhich are not necessary for an understanding of the present inventionsuch as conventional details of fabrication and assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND AN EMBODIMENT

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows the handle assembly H of thepresent invention secured to a piece of wheeled luggage L. The luggage Lmay be any one of a wide variety of commercially available products. Inaddition, although the handle assembly of the present invention findsparticular utility in wheeled luggage, it may also serve as a handleassembly in two-wheeled carts, cases or other similar devices.

The handle assembly H includes a pair of telescoping tube assemblies 11and 12 disposed in parallel relation and secured to the bottom of theluggage L as shown in FIG. 1 and at the top of the luggage as shown inFIGS. 1-4. The assembly 11 includes a first tube 13 and a second tube14. The assembly 12 includes a third tube 15 and a fourth tube 16. Thelower tubes 14 and 16 are round tubes; and they have the same length andthe same inside and outside diameter. They receive the upper tubes 13and 15 which are also round and which have an outside diameter smallerthan the inside diameter of the tubes 14 and 16. The tubes 13 and 15have the same length, inside diameter, and outside diameter.

The tubes are made of stainless steel, aluminum, plastic or any othersuitable material of high strength and rigidity. Although the embodimentshown includes round elongate tubes 13-16, an alternative embodiment mayincorporate tubes having one of a wide variety of other cross-sectionalconfigurations. One alternative may include tubes with a rectangularcross-section.

A handle member 17 made out of hard plastic or any other material ofhigh strength and rigidity lies fixedly secured to the top ends of thetubes 13 and 15. Tabs 18 and 19 lie fixedly secured to the bottom endportions of the tubes 14 and 16, respectively, and to the luggage L. Thetabs 18 and 19, the handle member 17, and a grommet and platearrangement 20 maintain a parallel relation between the assemblies 11and 12.

The handle 17 is a yoke-like member (see FIGS. 1-4) with sleeve portions17a and 17b which receive the upper end portions of the tube 13 and 15,respectively. This handle 17 defines a cavity 17c which communicateswith bores that extend through the sleeves 17a and 17b. The cavity 17calso contains a connecting or bridging member described in the textbelow.

The tube assembly 11 contains a locking assembly 21 (see FIGS. 2 and 4)for locking the first tube 13 and the second tube 14 in predeterminedpositions, e.g. in an extended and a retracted position. Similarly, thetube assembly 12 contains a locking assembly 22 for locking the thirdtube 15 and the fourth tube 16 in the same predetermined positions. Thelocking assemblies 21 and 22 have the same elements; and they operate inthe same manner to lock the tube assemblies 11 and 12 in an extended anda retracted position. A bridging member 23 (including a button 23a)which lies in the cavity 17c connects the assemblies 21 and 22 andallows an operator to activate the two assemblies 21 and 22 at the sametime.

Although the embodiment shown includes two locking assemblies 21 and 22,the handle assembly of the present invention may include only onelocking assembly disposed in one of the two tube assemblies 11 and 12.In this modification, a push button secured to the top of the lockingassembly may replace the bridging member 23 disposed in the cavity 17cof the handle 17.

Each of the assemblies 21 and 22 generally includes a latching member24, a plunger member 25, and a spring 26. The latching member 24 liessecured (e.g. crimped into place as at 27) to the distal end of eithertube 13 or 15. This member 24 defines a central bore 24a; and itincludes a displaceable end portion 24b (including a protrusion 24c)which the plunger member 25 drives into locking engagement in annulargrooves 14a and 14b of the tube 14 or in annular grooves 16a and 16b ofthe tube 16. The end portion 24b flares outwardly in a bell-likeconfiguration to allow easy engagement by the plunger.

The plunger member 25 includes a lower portion 28 which extends throughthe central opening 24a of the latching member 24 for reciprocatingmovement through the opening. The distal end of this lower portion 28 isa chamfered flange 28a which drives the displaceable portion 24b of thelatching member 24 into the annular grooves of the tube 14 or 16. Theplunger member 25 also includes a rod 29 secured (e.g., threadably) tothe lower portion 28 at one end and to the bridging member 23 at itsother, opposite end.

The spring 26 lies between one (top) end of the latching member 24 and astop 30 of the plunger 25. (The stop 30 is a ring which lies fixedlysecured (e.g. by a press fit) around the low portion 28 of the plunger25.) The spring 26 biases the plunger 25 upwardly, towards the handle17, to the position shown in FIG. 4. In this position, the flange 28a aswell as the bridging member 23 lies in raised positions where the flangelocks the displaceable portion 24b of the latching member 24 againsteither the tube 14 or the tube 16.

The spring 26, the rod 29, and the stop 30 are made of metal or anyother material or sufficient strength, while the lower portion 28 of theplunger 25 and the latching member 24 are made of plastic or othersuitable materials. The latching member 24 is a flexible material whichallows repeated flexing by the plunger 25 yet resists abrasion and hassufficient strength to lock the tubes of the two tube assemblies. Thislatching member 24 may be made of acetal, nylon, or other similarmaterial.

As stated above, in the locked position shown in FIG. 4 and 5, theflanges 28a of the plungers 25 drive the portions 24b into the lowergrooves (14a and 16a) of the tubes 14. When an operator presses thebridging member 23 inwardly of the handle 17 through an opening 31 atthe top of the handle, the bridging member 23 transmits the forceprovided to the rods 29. If the force has sufficient magnitude toovercome the springs 26, the flanges 28a of the plungers 25 move to theposition shown in FIG. 6. The operator may then move the tubes 13 and 15outwardly of the tubes 14 and 16. After the portions 24b have moved outof the grooves 14a and 16a, the operator may release the bridging member23 and then continue to pull the handle 17. When the portions 24b reachthe upper grooves 14b and 16b, the springs 26 will drive the flanges 28ain the position shown in FIG. 5, jolting the assembly into a lockedposition. (The jolt indicates that the assembly has assumed a lockedposition.)

To prevent the tubes 13 and 15 from moving out of the tubes 14 and 16,respectively, each one of the tubes 14 and 16 has a stop portion whichextends inwardly of the tube. Each stop portion lies at the top end of atube; and it cooperates with a corresponding stop portion at the bottomend of the tubes 13 or 15. The stop portions of the tubes 13 and 15 (seeFIG. 7) extend outwardly of these tubes.

The handle assembly H also includes a spring and pad assembly 32 at thebottom of the tube 14 and a spring and pad assembly 33 at the bottom ofthe tube 16. The assemblies bias the tubes 13 and 15 outwardly orupwardly when they reach the lowermost position shown in FIG. 4. Eachassembly includes a base 34 fixed at the bottom of the tube in which itlies, a spring 35 and a floating pad 36.

FIGS. 8-12 show a modification of the latching and plunger members. Inthis modification the latching member 124 includes two fingers or distalend portions 124a and 124b instead of the continuous bell-like endportion shown in FIGS. 4-6. The fingers 124a and 124b lie on oppositesides of a plunger member 125; and they flare outwardly of the plungermember 125 and the tube 13 or the tube 15. They include a protrusion124c which the plunger member drives into annular grooves 14a and 14b ofthe tube 14 (as shown in FIG. 10) or in annular grooves 16a and 16b ofthe tube 16.

The fingers 124a and 124b define an elongate slot 124d and 124e,respectively. A stop 125a secured to the plunger member 125 extendsthrough the slot 124d and engages the portions of the finger 124aadjacent the slot 124d to pull the finger 124a back to the retracted(unlocked) position shown in FIG. 9. Similarly, a stop 125b secured tothe plunger member 125 (opposite the stop 125a) extends through the slot124e and engages the portions of the finger 124b adjacent the slot 124eto pull the finger 125b back to the retracted (unlocked) position shownin FIG. 9.

The stops 125a and 125b assure the retraction of the flexible fingers124a and 124b back to the position shown in FIG. 9 from the positionshown in FIG. 10. They have a predetermined length that allows theirhead portions to cooperate with the sloping sides of the fingers 124aand 124b in a camming action. The stops 125a and 125b are bolt-likemembers (e.g., screws) made out of steel or any other suitable materialof high strength and rigidity; and they include a plate-like headportion that engages the sides of a corresponding finger and an elongatestem portion. These stops 125a and 125b may also be integrally formedparts of the plunger member 125.

While the above description and the drawings disclose and illustrate oneembodiment, one should understand, of course, that the invention is notlimited to this embodiment. Those skilled in the art to which theinvention pertains may make modifications and other embodimentsemploying the principles of this invention, particularly uponconsidering the foregoing teachings. For example, openings cut into thetubes 14 and 16 may replace the grooves 14a and 14b and the grooves 16aand 16b. Therefore, by the appended claims, the applicant intends tocover any modifications and other embodiments as incorporate thosefeatures which constitute the essential features of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A handle assembly for wheeled carts or luggage,said assembly comprising: first and second tubes, the first tubeextending into the second tube in telescoping relation with the secondtube; and locking means secured to the first tube for locking the firsttube in a predetermined position relative to the second tube; saidlocking means including a latching member and a plunger member fordisplacing the latching member laterally of the first and second tubesbetween locking and releasing positions; said second tube includingreceiving means for cooperating with the latching member to lock onetube relative to the other; said plunger member including stop means fordisplacing the latching member from the locking position to thereleasing position.
 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the latchingmember includes two finger portions and the plunger member extendsbetween those finger portions.
 3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein thelatching member is flexible and lies fixedly secured to the distal endof the first tube.
 4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the receivingmeans includes at least one groove in the second tube.
 5. The assemblyof claim 1, wherein the plunger member extends through the center of thefirst tube and a spring biases the plunger member against the latchingmember.
 6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the spring lies disposedaround the plunger member between the latching member and a stop portionof the plunger member.
 7. A handle assembly for wheeled carts orluggage, said assembly comprising:(a) a first tube assembly includingfirst and second tubes, the first, inner tube extending into the secondtube in telescoping relation with the second, outer tube; (b) a secondtube assembly including third and fourth tubes, the third, inner tubeextending into the fourth tube in telescoping relation with the fourth,outer tube; (c) said first and second tube assemblies disposed insubstantially parallel relation; (d) each tube assembly includinglocking means secured to the inner tube of the assembly for locking theinner tube in a predetermined position relative to the outer tube; (e)each said locking means including a latching member and a plunger memberfor displacing the latching member laterally of the inner and outertubes of the tube assembly that the locking means locks between lockingand releasing positions; (f) each of said outer tubes includingreceiving means for cooperating with a latching member to lock the outertube relative to the inner tube that the outer tube receives; (g) eachplunger member including stop means for displacing the correspondinglatching member from the locking position to the releasing position. 8.The assembly of claim 7, wherein each latching member of a locking meansincludes two finger portions and the plunger member of the locking meansextends between those finger portions.
 9. The assembly of claim 8,wherein each latching member is flexible and lies fixedly secured to thedistal end of an inner tube.
 10. The assembly of claim 7, wherein thereceiving means includes at least one groove in an outer tube.
 11. Theassembly of claim 10, wherein the receiving means includes a groove ateach end portion of an outer tube.
 12. The assembly of claim 7, whereineach plunger member extends through the center of a corresponding innertube and a spring disposed around the plunger biases the plunger memberagainst the corresponding latching member.
 13. The assembly of claim 7,further comprising a handle member disposed between the first and secondtube assemblies and secured to end portions of the first and thirdtubes, said handle member including actuating means for driving theplunger member of each tube assembly.
 14. The assembly of claim 7,wherein the tubes are round, elongate members.
 15. The assembly of claim7, further comprising a securing means disposed between the first andsecond tube assemblies for maintaining the two tube assemblies insubstantially parallel relation.